Opening Day
Posted: September 8th, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 102 Comments »Sunday football is here. And it is glorious.
The Eagles have the day off so we get to be casual fans and just go from game to game. The Bengals at the Bears looks good. Can Seattle shut down Cam Newton? That’ll be interesting to check out. Atlanta at New Orleans is a great NFC South matchup.
I think we all have some interest in how Big Red does in his debut with the Chiefs. I hope Andy has great success out there. I’d love to see him win a Super Bowl (but only after us of course). I’m praying he doesn’t throw the ball 40 times today, but he’s got me nervous. I’m not sure Andy has changed.
The big game for us is the SNF battle between the Boys and Gmen. I tend to cheer against Dallas in this game, but it is hard to support Eli and the gang. What do you guys do?
It will be interesting to see how Dallas does with their new defense. I’m also curious to see how JPP looks for the Giants. This is a crucial year for him. He was a dominant player in 2011. Not even close in 2012. How will he respond?
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Speaking of the Giants…Jimmy Bama poked some holes in them with this post.
He actually has some good nuggets in there. I was shocked to see how pedestrian Hakeem Nicks was for most of the year. Take out his dominant game vs the Bucs and he was an average WR the rest of the year. And that might be a generous description.
You must click to see Jimmy’s artistic rendering of OT Justin Pugh…he of the short arms. Classic.
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The Eagles released CB Brandon Hughes. They didn’t add anyone.
This could be a deal where they add a veteran player after Monday. If a veteran is on your roster for the season opener, his money is guaranteed for the season. If you sign him after the opener, he becomes a week-to-week guy. Don’t get all excited at the thought of a big name guy. There aren’t many of them on the street right now. Could just be some veteran player the Eagles want to give a shot to, but don’t want to commit to. Signing a player like that on Tuesday would make total sense.
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Kirk Herbstreit mentioned during the ND/Michigan game that he can’t wait to see how Chip Kelly does in the opener, as well as the whole year. There will be a ton of eyes on Kelly this fall. NFL owners and GMs want to know if an oddball outsider like him can succeed in the NFL, where innovation comes slowly. College coaches want to know if there is hope for them at the next level.
I’m sure Kevin Sumlin from Texas A&M and Brian Kelly from Notre Dame will have a keen eye on Chip and the Eagles. If Chip’s ideas translate well to the league, those coaches may really listen to offers this time around.
There was a time when it seemed the way to go was leaving the NFL for college. Pete Carroll was thriving at USC. June Jones was doing great at Hawaii. Steve Spurrier built South Carolina into a powerhouse. Jim Mora talked openly of wanting to coach the University of Washington…while he was the Falcons coach. Dave Wannstedt was at Pitt. Bobby Petrino tried the NFL and went flying back to college as fast as possible. Nick Saban spent 2 years at Miami before realizing he was an SEC guy and not an NFL guy.
Chip Kelly jumping to the NFL is big news. Jim Harbaugh was a former NFL QB so having him come to the league wasn’t such a huge deal. Kelly was a pure college coach. Heck, he had a small college background before landing at Oregon.
The world will be watching Kelly and the Eagles. I think half wants him to fail miserably. The other half wants him to succeed. The NFL needs some outside blood and new ideas.
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I’m one of the few who hate the giants more than I do the cowboys. I just have this hate for eli. Since I live in Philly guess I just have that rivalry with the city above us. Plus dez is in my fantasy league so would like to see him kill it hehe.
“It’s a beautiful morniiiiiiiing”!!!!
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eagles gameplan was awesome this morning. seeing Chip and Baldi break down our offensive film was just a treat.
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lanes ability is jaw dropping on film…I get on our Philly reporters often, but always give credit when it’s due, and Geoff Mosher wrote a fantastic real journalism article on Lane(it’s up on CSNPhilly now)…tough to read it and not get all sorts of Jacked up!!
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Ikke Reese and mIke Quick did a nice job breaking down the struggles of the DEADskins rookie secondary in the run game showing RBs making Amerson and Rambo look silly….Deagleo Hall is horrible. gave up 889 yards last year and something crazy like 41 TDs lol…Get Hall to lineup on Rambo’s side and take shots down the field…Take advantage of FOREskins MLBs..London Fletcher is over rated due to his age. Sure he makes tackles, problem is that they are 5yards down field. they ranked 27th last year defending TEs…The speed of our weapons have to take advantage of their slow LBs…How is London going to run with Shady lol? How can he keep up with the speed of Ertz and Casey coming thru the middle of the field? Take care of the ball, and points will get hung on the board!!!
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people are down on Cooper, but I think Chip will get much more out of him then Andy ever did. Riley blocks his butt off and battles all game..When plays breakdown he battles back to the ball, and makes plays. Avant does this well also..
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I really like our front 7, but the smelly skins have a tough Oline. if we can penetrate their line anchored by the hate to say it, Awesome Trent Williams, and get pressure on RGknee(props mike) it will be a very encouraging sign for the future if our front 7….Soap, Kendricks, Meco and Chung are crucial to slowing down Alfred, hope they answer the bell!!!
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PE.com has a great video of Caplan and Cossel baking down the read option and how teams will try and defend it this year
I love the game of football and have spent most of my weekend watching college, watching postgame for the NCAA and pregame shows for the NFL. However, I HATE waiting for Monday to watch the Birds play. I can’t stand it. I want to see my team play.
That said, it’s great to be back into the football season!
right!! MNF used to be cool, but we have been on primetime night games like 4 times a year for the past decade…Enough!! and to make us wait Another day to start the chip Kelly era was just cruel….Hate primetime. Nothing like a 1pm Sunday kick off
When I watch Giants/Cowboys I just root for the most amount of injuries as possible lol.. I will enjoy watching 2 poor Olines getting their QBs beat up.
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really hoping JPP rushes back and plays today, because it increases the odds of a setback.
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Sucks that CBS is airing Pittsburg/Titans at 1pm….Falcon/saints isn’t bad on Fox, but there were better games to chose from
No, I’ll never root for injuries. Ineptitude, absolutely, but not injuries. After all, there is still a chance there are actual people under those star-adorned helmets that might one day see the light, much like Darth Vader.
Injuries happen, they are inevitable…Rather seethed from our rivals then some AFC team that isn’t coming up on our schedule…injuries shape entire nfl seasons, so no I’m not taking the idealistic humane approach. Lol
I root for picks and embarrassment. Complete shattering of anything resembling confidence in both QBs. I never get tired of seeing Bad Eli. Romo is the most overrated QB in the league, so seeing him flake out today would be perfect. I’d really love to see some good closeups of Jerruh if Romo starts tanking.
It does make for a somewhat anti-climactic start to the season with the Eagles not on until tomorrow. Compounded by having to wait until 8 pm to see NYG and DAL. The 1 and 4 pm games mean nothing to us. I also hate when NYG and DAL play this early in the season, since at least later in the year you can pick someone to root for based on who we need to lose. Early, it’s just grit your teeth and hope they both look bad and tie.
A couple of people on Twitter raised the point that the Eagles might be adding Brandon Hughes on Tuesday. Cut him now so his money isn’t guaranteed. If you don’t like his play during the season, cut him loose and find another player.
bill Cowher just took the Eagles over skins
Duck offensive linemen had initial trouble with the Virginia DL stunts. I think DL slants mess with OL assignments. We saw this in the Jaguars game.
Plus Packers and Panthers D will hit the QB on option plays.
A “twisted” fan’s calculus: If Ducks 59 and Virginia 10, then Eagles 66 and Skins 35.
Eagles offense wins the day!
When the Cowboys play the Giants, I’m usually rooting for a poorly played tie game, followed by a meteor destroying the stadium. Never seems to happen, though.
Yep. Both teams go through a bunch of three-and-outs where they miss wide open receivers and running backs falling down untouched, then the punter lets the snap go out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a 16-16 tie consisting solely of safeties.
With the league deeming the performance so putrid that it overturns the tie and gives both teams a loss
This is hilarious as just this morning I was joking with my 10 year-old son and said that I hope the Giants-Cowboys game ended in a loss for both teams. He was trying to imagine a scenario where this could happen and one of his ideas was similar to your meteor. He proposed some kind of lava sinkhole that swallowed both teams.
I think the sinkhole theory is a possibility . Everyone knows Dallas sucks.
Hahahah the titans KR, caught the kickoff and downed it with 1foot out of the ENDZONE and the other foot in the ENDZONe, resulting in a safety….This has
to be one of the worst starts to an NFL season ever…that’s a two point start for my fantasy football season with the steelers defense lol I’ll take it
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Maybe our historian ACviking can hook us up with some comparable boneheaded moments of the past
Lol. I have the Steelers D too!
Hopefully this game remains a defensive battle…Pouncey got hurt already, that’s like the last thing the steelers offense could afford. titans aren’t great but the steelers defense needs to keep them in the game…..as I type this Woodley Debacled Locker! Lol
This Bears D is just sick.
Since when are Peanut(s) human?!
He’s not. Lol
I just checked NFL.com to see how Andy’s new team is doing and the first play I found was a delay of game on the Chiefs. Football season is back!
Derek Landri looking good for TB. Teo-Mesheim also starting, haven’t noticed him much so far.
Tampa is pathetic
My fantasy team is getting killed…mostly by AJ Green
My fantasy team is kicking ass…because I have AJ Green.
I noticed… and CJ Spiller and Mike Wallace aren’t doing anything for me.
I hate the scoring system of our fantasy league..I’m not used to it, my other two leagues are ppr
Pryor = McNabb
EJ Manuel = McNabb
@disqus_aDSuTpLIeT:disqus
You may want to reverse your off season predictions re the Lions and Raiders being the worst teams. 😉
Classic Marty Morninweg: 3d & 1, he calls an end-around to a WR (who earlier in the game was knocked out by a blow to the head). Predictably it failed and Jets had to punt.
Regarding the Giants-Cowboys game —
The Giants are our rival,
we all know that’s for certain.
To beat Eli and Coughlin,
helps raise the playoffs curtain.
That team from the city north of us,
is worthy of most every cuss.
But there is one team that’s even worse,
the evil ones that we must curse.
That team from the Lone Star State,
so worthy of our scorn and hate.
Jerry’s empire, dark spawn of Satan,
that all true Eagles fans must be hatin’.
On their vile nature the polite do not comment,
knowing it can cause severe vomit.
Buddy had it right in the Bounty Bowl,
now we must destroy Romo’s soul.
There’s just one conclusion reached by Americans and Canucks,
It’s the bottom line truth:
Dallas sucks!
Bellicek hasn’t played Steven Ridley since he fumbled in the 2nd quarter..
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Tom: How do you think Chip handles Bryce or Polks regular season fumbling(let’s hope it doesn’t happen)?
Andy’s first game for KC is also the first time his defense ever shut out the opposing offense.
Not true. Did that to Skins in 2002 MNF game. Only pts were on punt return TD.
Forgot about that one.
How about first time holding an opponent to less than 3 points?
Yup.
And the last team Andy held to 3 points: Jacksonville
And Miami in 2007, also a punt return TD.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711180phi.htm
Re: Reid’s Chiefs
The Chiefs are going to be a contender.
Watching KC today was like watching the Eagles – circa 2001-03.
Excellent defensive talent.
A QB who’s very careful with the football.
And a big, talent O-line. With a great RB.
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Reid does indeed know how to coach. He just committed a huge blunder in hiring Washburn and then trying to find a D.C.
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Imagine how good that Chief’s front 4 would be if Pioli had selected Fletcher Cox instead of Donte Poe.
KC was the best worst team last year. I know Pro Bowl doesn’t mean much anymore…but they still had 6
I think Reid just really needed a change in scenery. I think he and his offense had grown stale here in Philly. Hopefully the change will be positive over here in Philly too.
Settle down….he is playing the Jags
With the Eagles, we probably would have lost….lol. Reidnis a good coach, but it was time to move on. Last few years have really highlighted how important the JJ hire…
Andy has an improved roster and a stable qb, and they play in a crappy division. They could win 10 games and make the playoffs.
We should have drafted the HB..
Nnamdi just smoked by Jordy Nelson…starting looking for Kurt immediately.
And again!!!! What a bum!!
NNamdi looks really bad…the one pass he broke up, he did it with his back to the QB…He is so afraid of his lack of ability that he doesn’t even try to make plays on the ball.
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Reid looks like a Legit stud safety tho
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Datone Jones is a beast to no surprise
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can’t believe I have to wait another day for the shady aftermath show…this blows. My girl is out for the entire day, of course she will be home tomorrow night. Hate this Monday night crap lol
Eric Reid looking really solid…
Watching Clay Matthews attacking the read option is interesting. I don’t think Orakpo and Kerrigan have the speed of Matthews, but I could see attacking the mesh point as the way teams handle the read option. Matthews has disrupted two plays like that thus far.
Both times the read seemed to be on the other side, so shouldn’t the OT be blocking Mathews? Why is the OLB on the QB’s blindside getting a free run at the handoff?
Can’t answer that for you, but I’m assuming he’s attacking upfield all the way when he sees the formation. Maybe the tackle just isn’t fast enough out of his stance to get a hand on Matthews?
Also, why doesn’t Mathews do that every play?
That got my attention too, but I am thinking the Packers identified some flaw in the 9ers blocking on their read option. Hopefully it isn’t a flaw we share.
I don’t know that San Fran has run that play that much today. Kaepernick doesn’t have that many yards on the ground today.
I agree, I only saw them try it those two times. Of course with those results, I wouldn’t have run it again either.
He got two more free runs at the handoff on the last drive. Once, Gore cut him after the play fake and Colin threw it over him. The next, they flubbed the exchange and Clay hesitated. I guess that was their answer?
Yeah, Aikman commented on the play that Gore cut Matthews that it was a keeper all the way.
I’m wondering if Staley’s blocking responsibility on that play is the DE and leaving Matthews unblocked since the play would go away from him if executed properly. Seems…odd to leave him unblocked, but that blocking assignment is likely something they would have seen in film study. I wonder if they meet in the play offs if we’ll see the TE come back across the formation and block Matthews or Staley kick out to get him so he can’t get up field like that again.
The counter play is so deadly against aggressive OLBs as we saw in with Harbor against Dallas.
Matthews has been pretty quiet tonight. Staley is doing a good job.
Another observation from the Pack – 9ers game: Green Bay’s secondary is terrible.
well eli looks terrible so far 2 picks in 3 drives n the boys O looks bad so far too 3 plays fg then 3 plays punt
Giants-Cowboys is a crapfest. Cue meteor.
4 turnovers and 6 points. Can’t complain about that (unless someone actually likes one of those two teams).
Good golly. 7-9 could win this division.
Was that Will Allen or Nate Allen that just got smoked for a td???
Tom Coughlin on the Giants’ first half: “Worst half of football I’ve ever seen.”
He must have a short memory…
I guess to be fair that was only 8 minutes in the 4th quarter…
Looks like the Giants caught the turnover virus from the Eagles in the last game of the 2012 season. Hope we’re over it!!!
Andy Is Still Andy (did we ever really doubt he wouldn’t be?):
Today: 34 pass attempts vs 22 RB runs: 61/39% pass/run ratio
Also, Alex Smith’s 34 attempts was comfortably above (by 25%) his career average of 27 per game.
Interesting to note that the NFL’s quirky schedule has KC going against the NFC East the next 3 weeks (Dallas, Eagles, Giants). AR is sure to turn up the pass dial to “11” all three of those weeks (maybe even to “12” against us!).
did you see the giants game? how about that for a run/pass ratio?!
they had all of like 12 running plays plus a few qb scrambles. wow…
granted, that probably has a lot to do with david wilson fumbling the ball over and over again and having no competent RB behind him, and being behind for most of the game, but still. crazy just to see those numbers.
Is it too late to trade for Chris Harper and hope he’s the next Anquan Boldin?
Edit: Oh god the Niners have him too.
I really wanted Harper in last years draft. Thought he made perfect sense in the 4th round (I do not have a problem with Barkley at all tho)
After just watching the Girls/Gnats game I have to say that I will be very disappointed if we don’t win the division.
Im usually the optimist, but this Redskins game got me really nervous. I fear Morris will run all over us and the Eagles will keep turning the ball over like it was 2012.
I think we do have a shot but it won’t be easy. Eli won’t play that poorly all year and the Cowboys O line looked good.
Eli threw for 370 yards and 3 TDs, that is not poorly (tho two ints is).
Cowboys OL looked good against a terrible Giants pass rush. It is clear that Tuck and JPP is not what they used to be.
Shell actually threw for 450 yards and 4 TDs.
I was joking though, I don’t necessarily expect the Eagles to win the division, but I sure hope that they will be at least competitive.
Keeping Alfred Morris in check will be the ultimate test early on.
Agreed about Morris. I hope our O plan involves a lot of Shady and long, sustained drives. Keep Morris on the sidelines.
That was get for using my head as memory instead of double checking.
As said, I got this bad feeling about tonight’s game, maybe it is the bad play the last two years that got my nervous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IwrstxuicZk
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/videos/Eagles_Game_Plan_Week_1/0a9e95e0-a763-43b0-8c6d-398875a81a78
This is very good. While the segment with Kelly wasnt earthbreaking stuff, it is still nice to see him breaking down a little film.
I really the what Chip says about being greedy around the 5 minute mark. You can really hear how disappointed he was with the backside blocking, that turned a walk in TD into a 20 yard gain. Chips not gonna let players take plays of, they have to play whistle to whistle and get their job done. We need that really bad, im looking at you Nnamdi and Maclin.
One thing I hope is, that Chip is able to get the same kind of discipline that he requires from blocking and finishing, when it comes to penalties. Im really impressed with how Mike Smith have got the Falcons to commit essentially no penalties for extremely low yardage. The other team is already trying their best to beat you, there is no need to help them.
We commited really few penalties in the pre season (hardly any false starts and no delay of game).
Also the effort thing is really apparent when you study the the Ducks. They scored a lot of long TDs by great down field blocking.
Most of the Eagles’ goats in recent years (Andy Reid, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Jaiquawn Jarrett) were on the winning side, with only McDermott and Castillo (fresh off a Super Bowl win) being on the losing side, and both of their team’s respective units looked pretty good. Additionally, frequently piled on Rob Ryan’s defense looked pretty damn good as well.
Based on the performances of persons heavily criticized by respected bloggers and sports pundits, I’m predicting a HUGE game from DeAngelo Hall and the Washington Football Team secondary.
Week one is just one week, but each week is a reminder of the old adage: “That’s why they play the game.”
NA had a terrible game, Jarrett had a so and so game. AR is still AR (he passed 38 times to 22 called runs).
Rob Ryan’s defenses always look good from time to time, but his history is terrible.
I don’t know if anyone else is as out of touch as me, but I just learned Eagles kickoff is 7pm tonight. Heads up.
Isn’t it 7.10 ! ?
WTH…it’s friggin game day and it’s quiet like a church around here?
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Wake the F up everyone, and FLY EAGLES FLY! !!!
BReaking News: Chip likes Marriotta lol
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Every Monday morning Chip will be with Angelo Cateldi’s morning show…today Angelo asked if he ever had a QB with Vicks skill set
Chip: “we’ll the kid at Oregon is pretty good”
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Stay tuned for more Earth Shattering news like this lol
Mariota is the perfect Chip Kelly QB.
Some way I hope we play good football, but ultimately end up like 6-10 and have a chance for a QB (cant hope to pick up one after the first round). I know we misses some pieces on D, but if we can get a dominating offense, we can win a lot of games, but you really need a good QB for that.
I watched a game this weekend, he can’t throw. Anyone else have thoughts on that? He’s fast and can run the offense, but no arm.
He got plenty arm strength. Not it is not Kaepernick or Vick type arm, but it is better than Foles.
He had a bad game. Did you see him at all last year? He can throw just fine. At least at the college level.
Nope admittedly first game watched (aside from FishDuck highlights).
Yeah, it’s the fact that he can run AND pass that has people so excited. Time will tell if this week was an anamolie or if his play is going to suffer in the absense of Kelly.
One of the Duck posters over here mentioned the new HC over there wants to emphasize the pass more. It’s really just a matter of wait and see how that plays out.
i haven’t been this excited for eagles football in a very, very long time. can’t WAIT to get this season started!
low expectations also help.
i’m expecting the offense to move the ball, *hoping* for consistent points and minimal turnovers.
i’m expecting the defense to be somewhere above competent, *hoping* for solid tackling and mistakes like blown coverages and wrong gaps kept to a minimum.
I’m excited for the Eagles season to start, but honestly, unlike past years were I could convince myself that the team was a legitimate playoff/superbowl contender, this year I haven’t been able to do that and it has me down on the team in a sense. Granted, I view this year as a rebuilding year (or for those who shy away from that word, retooling, establishing a system, laying down the foundation… whatever you want to call it…) and I am excited about the long term success of this team, but I think I am a little less excited about this season itself than I have been in even recent years. Maybe it’s just me… but I’d be curious to know what others think.
Absolutely excited about CK and getting the season started and seeing what our new team will look like. Just not excited about how successful of a season we will have this year…